Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-05-06

COtllt uiaiiarCf Va tuS D"tts"f~'~ ~-'~ -
railroad east Of the Ohio river, has been
a remarkable one in many respects, and
he certainly Is remarkable man In
every respect. Prior to the war he was
a freight conductor on the Baltimore
and Ohio, and he met John w. Garrett,
then President Of the road, near Wheel
ing, w. Va. Three rear cars OF Con-
ductor Clements train were derailed
one day near Wheeling, and Clements
took the red signal aud went back to dag
an express which he knew was following.
He sent the engineer and fireman ahead
TO stop all trains coming from that di-
rection anI to get assistance. hurriedly
calling out to stupid brakeman: "Pull
the Il ain ahead about hundred yards. 7"
The rear cars had commenced to burn
from the broken stove Ia tue caboose,
and Clements wanted 10 save the valus
BILE freight in the others. The brake
man climbed aboard the engine, but was
too stupid to open the throttle. The
whole train was burned, eau sing loss
of over $4,000. When Clemens return
ed to the scene with some Of the passen.
gers from the express, which he had
stopped half mile away, he looked at
the burning ears, and, stepping up to
the stupid brakeman, SCORED him with
one powerful blow. A stout, quiet
looking passenger walked up TO Glenn
ents and said: why did you desert
your train? You could have seut that
man back with the flag and saved these
cars yourself. Ii seems to me you don't
know your business"
Clements Is 5road-shouldered six
footer, and when he glared at his auda-
cious critic many people supposed there
would be another knock. down. "Why,
you d. fool!' he replied contemptu-
ously, ''do you suppose was going {"
trust that manp knew he was u fool,
like you, and that's the reason | let him
monkey with the cars while | went to
look after human lives"
"Conductor, do you know who amy!
"No; and don't care d."
"I am John w. Garrett" "well, |
don't care II you are. IL you value
freight more than human lives. | don't.
And will burn up dozen trains before
I'll let one Of your Cheap John brakemeu
kill few dozen people,"
Clemens stalked away and busted
himself directing the wrecking crew
engaged in clearing the track. Old man
Gal rett looked quietly OF without utter
ing another word. The following week
Clements was made u passenger con-
ductor, whereas everyone supposed that
he would be discharged. He rose stead
lily until he became master Of transpor-
tatiOn Of the whole road.
In this position he was noted all over
the country for his ability and inde-
pendence and his absolute defiance Of
every other mans ideas. His subordih-
ates said that he could "gst there"
quicker than any other man, and that
lie was the only chief OF department in
the Baltimore and Ohio service who did
not tremble when Garrett came along.
He was VIGOROUSLY profane. and IL Is
limited that he even "cussed the old
man" on several occasions. In 1850,
Just about the time young Robert Gar
rett commenced to be prominent In his
fathers road, Clements hal serious
falling ou. with the elder Garrett, which
made things unpleasant for the next two
years. Finally, wheBGeneral Manager
Dunham was brought to Baltimore from
the Western division OF the road and
commenced to Interfere with Clements.
an explosion quickly followed. Glenn
ents had always been great stickler
for promotion, and was wonderfully
popular on Ibis account with bis subor-
dipates. When vacancy occurred In
an important Office In Clements de-
partment. he recommended the next
highest official and Durham named
friend from Western branch Of the
road. Dunham's man got the place, and
Clements went right In ard told Robert
Garrett, then vice president and practi-
cal manager, that he wouldn't allow
Dunbam's men to serve under him.
"But, Mr.. Clements, discipline must
be mainlained," said Garrett. "Weli,
you can keep discipline, but you can't
keep me on these terms. The Western
man Is dude, and has neither railroad
sense, common sense, nor horse sense. l
won't have him." said Clements, fatty.
His profanity by this time was lurid and
intricate. Durham insisted on his
point. Mr. Garrett upheld bin. and
Clements forthwith resigned. The
knowledge that Clements bad been max
ing fight In their interest made the
employees Of the road idolize bin. They
gave him magnificent solid silver SER
vice worth 1850. and IL was soon ad-
mitted that Mr.. Garrett had made mis-
take. John King, Jr., Of the Erie, who
had left .he Second yice-Presidency Of
the Baltimore & Ohio under pretty
much the same circumsta ces, knew
Ciemeats' abilities and brought bin to
New York on big salary. The return
Of the bluff railroad man to the Baitl-
more & Ohio In higher capacity and at
large. salary than formerly shows thst
Mr.. Garrett, whatever bis motives IN
allowing his fathers old fayorite TO re-
sign, has never doubted Clements abil-
ity.-Phsladslphia Preu.
A lawyer. somewhat disguised at see